Aston Villa - Newcastle United live updates

Newcastle corner is a really poor one, beyond Mitrovic and everyone else and out for a Villa throw.

We’ve had beach balls on the pitch in the first half and now there are balloons. Great recovery from Clark to block Townsend’s cross.

Lazy from Wijnaldum, who strays offside onto Sissoko’s pass. So easily avoided if he opened his eyes.

The Villa defence have coped well so far with everything Newcastle have thrown at them. Which is very little..

If nothing else, that substitution has injected a new lease of life into the travelling Newcastle faithful.

Newcastle sub: Mitrovic comes on to replace Cisse.

Free kick to Villa. Westwood swings it in but easily cleared. Should have done a lot better with that.

Rafa Benitez constantly looking at his team shape, making sure that all the holes are plugged.

The only good news for Newcastle is that Nemanja Matic put Chelsea ahead at Sunderland on the stroke of half time.

So something has finally happened in this match. Let’s hope for more chances like that one.

CHANCE! Townsend’s cross deflects straight into the path of Colback and he blasts over the bar. Should have scored!

Back underway here at Villa Park. Let’s hope for something other than the summer sun to brighten up this dull affair.

HALF TIME: Aston Villa 0 Newcastle United 0

Just the one added minute here.

Now this changes things a bit. Wahbi Khazri has equalised for Sunderland.